There's rep scales that people follow. If you can do about two or three extra reps per set, that would be the equivalent of upping the weight by a couple kilos. So it you can do 5 sets 7 or 8 reps per set, then you should be confident enough to add an extra 5 lbs. 10 lbs would be like 5 sets 10 reps per set.

The trainer is right, you could just add more reps if you can't find smaller weights.

Well yeah but I'm doing the StrongLifts program; after being able to do a 5x5 bench at a certain weight, I could keep doing more reps endlessly, but eventually I'm going to have to jump up 11lb, which is pretty big jump.

On the bench? It's all in your head. It's not a big jump unless you're into power lifting. Remember, you're doing repetitions, not single lifts at your max. If you work out regularly and can do 10 reps of a certain weight, you can probably do 7-8 with an extra ten pounds.

The trainer is right, you could just add more reps if you can't find smaller weights.

Well yeah but I'm doing the StrongLifts program; after being able to do a 5x5 bench at a certain weight, I could keep doing more reps endlessly, but eventually I'm going to have to jump up 11lb, which is pretty big jump.

On the bench? It's all in your head. It's not a big jump unless you're into power lifting. Remember, you're doing repetitions, not single lifts at your max. If you work out regularly and can do 10 reps of a certain weight, you can probably do 7-8 with an extra ten pounds.

Well it's not just the bench. I find doing 11 lb increases on the overhead press damn near impossible once I hit my plateaus. That's why I had a friend ship me a pair of 2.5 lb plates, among other things. Don't mind giving mine away before I leave.

Speaking of Smith machines, was wondering how much you guys thought a Smith machine bar weighs? I've checked a bit on-line and people mention anywhere from 10-40 lbs.
Of course, what really matters is, with the pulleys, what it actually feels like to lift it (ie- the force to lift it). I'm quessing roughly 10 lbs., but would like others' opinions.
And please save the comments about how it's the worst death trap on Earth and how many different ways I'll paralyze myself.
Thanks.

I agree with the Capt. Something like maybe 10 lbs. To lift the Smith machine bar required barely more effort than lifting your arms, and that was when I was just starting. I don't think the weight should even count when you record how much you lifted. Oddly found it much harder to squat a lot of weight using the Smith machine than a free weight barbell.

Found a decent gym in Ansan called Ace Fitness Club. Had a power rack, and dumbbells up to 45 kg, which is all I need. 100k a month with clothes, towels, and a pair of shoes (I asked for slippers, they gave me a pair of shoes which was awesome) if you forget. 10k drop in rate. Only downside is when the power rack is in use, like it was today by a man who did endless sets of deadlifts using just the bar. Not endless reps, endless sets. And seemed very protective of the bar. Every time he caught me looking his way when he was taking a break, he'd get up and do another set. Guy spent like 30 minutes. Other than that, it had everything I needed. Power rack for squats, overhead press, lots of Olympic bars to do deadlifts or barbell rows, lots of benches for chest press, machines for leg presses, calf raises, and multilevel machines for rowing, face pulls, and triceps pull downs. A lot of those things I took For granted until I went to three different places before this in Ansan. I'm going to be using this gym for the duration of my stay.

I divided them up this way so that day 1 would be pushing exercises, and day two, pulling exercises. The ab rollouts were a toss up, so I put them on day 2, which seemed easier overall. But I have no idea if this is an intelligent way to go about programming. Any advice?